5 best active headphones

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

When hunting or shooting practice on a shooting range, hearing protection is of paramount importance. Weapons can make very loud noises during operation and generate shockwaves that can damage the eardrum. And to protect the shooter from these negative factors, active shooting headphones are designed.

Active headphones for shooting are equipped with two special systems – muting and amplifying the sound. The first is intended directly for hearing protection. She 'extinguishes' the claps of shots. The sound amplification system is needed for collaboration with other team members and good hunting – it makes speech louder and small noises around the user. So, thanks to her, you can hear the sounds of breaking branches from a deer passing in the distance.

Especially for professional hunters who spend a lot of time in the field and in the shooting range, we have compiled a rating of the 5 best active headphones – from expensive models to budget but practical options.

Rating of the best active headphones

3M Peltor Sporttac Hunting (MT16H210F-478-GN)

Rating: 4.9

Why they are: High acoustic efficiency, good sound amplification.

Flagship active headphones designed for professional hunters or professionals in blasting or construction work. They feature excellent acoustic performance – they reduce noise and rumble by 26 dB. The design also includes multiple directional microphones that pick up ambient 'useful' sounds (such as human speech) and amplify them.

The headphones require two AAA batteries to operate. Thanks to a good optimization of energy consumption, these batteries will last for 600 hours of continuous use. In addition, these active headphones automatically turn off after 2 hours of inactivity to conserve power.

The cups of the device are made of plastic and wood, and are also supplemented with foam rubber pads and high-quality eco-leather ear pads. The set includes replaceable covers in orange and dark green (khaki) colors.

Advantages

• High quality body materials that improve passive sound insulation;
• Interchangeable cups in different colors included;
• Long battery life – up to 600 hours with two AAA batteries.

disadvantages

• Relatively high price;
• Extremely frontal directional microphones
• Average quality of materials of ear cushions.

MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X

Rating: 4.8

Why They Are: Designed to meet US militaristic quality standards.

These active earphones have been designed in strict accordance with a set of MIL standards that apply to equipment used by the US military. As a result, they have excellent acoustics, suppressing loud impulse sounds to a safe level of 82 dB.

They also feature four windshield directional microphones that provide a 360-degree 'tracking' acoustic field. Quiet ambient sounds, such as speech or rustling foliage, are amplified to the optimal 27 dB for human hearing.

The ear cups of these active headphones are made of a multi-layer polymer, which is durable and good sound insulating properties. The ear cushions are made of foam, soft and tight to the head. The headband is made of spring steel with excellent strength properties and is covered with fabric for softening and comfort in cold weather.

Advantages

• High quality materials from which the active headphones are made;
• Excellent autonomy, up to 600 hours of active use with 2 batteries;
• Excellent amplification of ambient sounds, excellent speech audibility.

disadvantages

• The ears under them quickly heat up and sweat;
• Not very convenient and practical access to the battery compartment;
• Relatively high price.

Howard Leight Impact Sport

Rating: 4.7

Why they are: Slim body and low price.

Unlike previous models in the ranking, these active headphones have been specially designed for shooting sports. Therefore, they are not only functional, but also as convenient as possible. The slim profile makes the shotgun easy to use with these headphones, and the light weight of just 280 grams eliminates head fatigue, even with extended wear.

At the same time, they differ in very good technical characteristics. The noise reduction system provides an NRR of 22 dB. Impulsive external sounds (particularly from gunshots) are blocked up to a safe volume of 82 dB. Two directional microphones pick up and amplify 'useful' ambient noises, including human speech, and deliver them in stereo surround sound.

The device also features a practical control system. It is equipped with one control, which serves both to turn on and to adjust the volume.

Advantages

• Slim profile (handy when using shotguns) and low weight;
• One knob for one hand movement;
• Excellent pickup and enhancement of ambient noise.

disadvantages

• Quite a large percentage of fakes;
• Strange pricing – blacks and greens are more expensive than dark browns;
• Doesn't protect very well when used indoors – for example, in a shooting range.

Peltor Sport RangeGuard

Rating: 4.6

Why they are: Low cost and good protection against loud impulse noise.

The Peltor Sport RangeGuard Active Headphones come in a special slim-profile configuration that makes it easy to use with shotguns and similar firearms. But at the same time they provide good noise reduction – the NRR ratio is 21 dB. The volume of external impulse sounds, such as the rumble of shots, is 'muffled' to 80 dB safe for human hearing.

Like the previous active headphones in the rating, these are equipped with a special control system – one control designed to turn on and adjust the volume of ambient sounds. This improves usability. There is a 3.5 mm jack, which is designed to connect walkie-talkies, MP3-players and other compatible devices.

The device is equipped with special directional microphones for stereo sound. The arrangement of these elements protects them from wind and splash.

Advantages

• Good combination of price and technical characteristics;
• Long battery life (as for a budget model), up to 300 hours from two AAA batteries;
• Convenient foldable design and durable body.

disadvantages

• Poor placement of 'hangers' placed far beyond the cups;
• Difficult access to the battery compartment, no moisture protection of the batteries;
• Slight delay when blocking the first shot.

Veber 'Bear' Camo

Rating: 4.5

Why they are: Low cost and reliable design.

These Russian-made active headphones are well suited for both hunting and shooting. The special design of the device, which includes a minimum of protruding elements and protection of sensitive microphone receivers, provides high reliability even during transportation and use in extreme conditions.

The headphones are distinguished by excellent – for their price – technical characteristics. Thus, the noise damping ratio NRR is 24 dB, and the SNR is 27 dB. Due to this, loud impulse sounds of shots are instantly 'cut off', and quiet surrounding sounds (speech, for example), on the contrary, are amplified. Two microphones with wind and splash protection provide stereo sound with clear source direction detection.

One switch is used to turn on and control the volume. The active headphones are powered by two AAA batteries and last for 180 hours.

Advantages

• The lowest price in the rating;
• Excellent acoustic qualities (NRR and SNR noise reduction factors);
• Reliable construction made of quality materials, a minimum of protruding elements.

disadvantages

• There is no moisture protection, it is better not to use them during rain or similar bad weather;
• Different specifications for black and green headphones;
• Designed for trap shooting rather than hunting.

Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.